They didn't talk about it. About Peter's mini massacre of her mad group of mermaid attackers. They didn't need to; not now anyway.
It had been three weeks since the 'Mermaid' incident, as she and the boys playfully referred to it. While Pan was anything, but cheerful about the incident in question.
He'd been the darkest mood possible for the past three weeks; terrorising the pirates, screaming at the Lost Boys and not sparing her a second glance.
While she found no problem with him ignoring her, his temper with the Lost Boys had hit a new low.
"What's he raging about today?" Artemis whispered, bending down next to Curly. Watching Pan lose his head at a few Lost Boys who guarded the camp. "Apparently they were too 'dim-witted and terrible at even the basis of defence' to be guarding."
"That's not that bad." Artemis said softly, even if they were a little louder, he might just hear them and fly into another tirade for some reason. "Yeah love, but to be fair…I gave ya the nice version." he said, shooting her a wink. "The real one, had a hell of a lot more swearing."
Artemis chuckled softly curling up closer to him, Curly wrapping his coat around them both. "Thanks Curls." she whispered, deciding it be best to wait Pan out, before she left camp. "Where you headed?" Curly asked, turning to her, his golden locks falling over his eyes.
"Edge of the forest, onto the beach."
"You got a death wish?" Curly hissed, glaring at her. "Mermaids have been crazy since the Incident. You go out there, they will kill you. Instantly. Not the usual toying, just dead."
"Well, what else am I meant to do? This place doesn't exactly have many books or places to go or jobs to do." Artemis shot back. "I mean besides exploring or being Pan's new emotional punching bag, I don't exactly have much of a life right now."
Curly paused running this over, before begrudgingly nodding. "True, but you can't just go out in the open with mermaids swimming around. Be smart, Missy."
"Missy?" Artemis repeated raising an eyebrow. "What? You have a nickname for me…" Curly started, looking her up and down. "Not Missy then."
"Well—"
"What the hell do you think you two are doing?!" Pan shouted suddenly yanking them both out of the bushes, throwing them to the ground. "Hmm?" he said, towering over them his face livid.
"Nothing." Artemis replied, attempting to relax her beating heart. She didn't like this new look on Peter Pan. Not at all.
This was so different from the ones she got to know. The fun-loving Pan, the cheeky mischievous Pan, the cynical Pan, the protective Pan. The boy who tried so hard to be a monster. Now she was becoming more convinced that she might…have been wrong.
"Nothing." Pan repeated, his eyes flickering between the two of them. "Nothing."
"Yes, Pe-Pan. Nothing." Artemis confirmed, standing up gesturing to Curly to get up. "Nothing. Nothing. You are not meant to be out here." Pan said pointing to her.
"And you…" he said staring at Curly, his a flicker of something flashing though his eyes. "Get out my site." he growled, grabbing Curly by the scruff of his neck, half tossing him into the trees.
Curly glanced back unsurely at Artemis, who nodded reassuringly at him. Curly nodded back, turning around and disappearing into the trees.
Pan eyes' following him, before he turned back to Artemis. "Now you." Pan said, walking to her, reaching out. Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
"Now me what?" Artemis snapped, folding her arms swatting his hand away. "What is wrong with you? One second you happy, now, your angry and now what, sentiment."
"It's called emotion, forgive me I forgot you were a heartless witch." Pan retorted back. Artemis snorted, deciding to withhold her comment, but couldn't help spitting out. "Lovely defence that was."
Pan sighed, ruffling his hair violently, gripping the ends of it almost as if he were trying to rip it out. "Peter…Peter are-" Artemis paused, going towards him gently rubbing his shoulders. "Are you okay?"
"What do you think woman?"
Artemis dropped her arms. "Hell no, forget this." she said, walking away, shaking her head. "You know what…Screw you. You—mean, mean boy." Artemis cried, in lack of better wording at the time. "What is wrong with you?! I'm trying to help you, to understand what's going on-?!"
"WHO ASKED YOU TO?" Peter shouted, releasing his hair.
"SORRY FOR HAVING A HEART." Artemis screamed back. Pan went quiet.
Artemis sighed running her fingers though her hair. "Look, I get it—she started, when a whooshing sound rang out. "Pan?" Artemis asked, turning around staring at the empty patch of grass.
"Ugh! Boys!"
After spending most of the day, walking through the forest hissing and spitting like a wild cat, Pan finally found himself sitting on the beach.
"You alright there mate?" came a voice from next to him. Peter looked up, glaring at Hook. "What do you want?" he said, the words coming out like an angry whine rather than an annoyed and threatening.
Hook shrugged. "Ah, not doing much. Had to dock, after the mermaids began throwing there bloody tantrums; almost took the Jolly Roger under." he grumbled, taking a sip from his hip flask.
"Heard you killed a bunch of 'em…for that girl." he continued, glancing down at him. "Did you?"
Pan squeezed his fist, debating whether should gut the pirate to end this conversation. Artemis was the last person he wanted to talk about. He already spent the last six hours, hissing over her.
"Wouldn't blame you if you did…those mermaids; right bloody pests." Hook said, waiting of some sort of reaction. "It, er…nice of—"
Before he could stop himself, Pan slammed Hook against a tree. "I am not nice." he growled. "I killed those mermaids because I could. I don't give a shit about them or anyone other than myself. And believe me pirate, I am definitely not nice."
Hook stared back at him blankly. "Aye, I know." he said, glancing down at his flask which was stuck fast into the sand. "The girl, she came here by accident. Let me take her home."
Pan paused, licking his lips shaking his head. "No."
"She isn't meant to be here, mate. She's an innocent girl on an island full of boys an—"
"What? A ship full of pirates is any better." Pan snorted, releasing him pacing backwards. "She's safer with me."
"Thought you didn't care." Hook said, making the boy freeze, the man picking up his flask tucking it into his belt. "I ain't an expert, but it sounds like you do."
Pan swallowed hard from behind Hook, staring out into the oceans.
They were wilder than ever, the waves hitting the shore hard and vengefully.
"She stays with me." he said softly, not bothering to turn around. "And if I catch you, or any of your pirates trying anything, even the slightest whisper. I'll kill you. I'll kill all of you. A put your heads on her doorstep." Pan said, turning around his eyes flashing wickedly, his fist clenched tightly.
Hook swallowed hard, saying nothing.
"Do I make myself clear?"
"You look like hell." Curly said, handing her a cup of tea. "Feel like it too." Artemis replied, taking it gratefully, looking around them.
She had been walking aimlessly though the forest for almost five hours, mostly due to her screaming and cursing of Peter Pan causing her to get distracted and lose her way on the map.
But at least, right now…things were calmer.
They were by the campfire with the Lost Boy's scattered all around them. Rufio and Felix talking, Marcel and Jack laughing loudly with a few other boys and finally the youngest all giggling quietly to themselves.
It was sweet and peaceful. The most peaceful in the past few weeks.
"So I was thin-"
Before Curly could finish, a cold wind swept past them, snuffing out the lanterns and dulling the campfire. The whole camp, went quite the only light coming from the setting sun and the dimming campfire.
It was rather clear, who just rocked up.
Pan walked into the middle of the camp, his green eyes sweeping over everyone.
It was so quiet you could only hear the rustling of leaves, and a few noises from the various bugs and animals that resided on the island. Well that and their beating hearts, their beating terrified, very rip-able hearts.
While she hadn't see Peter do that, she had not doubt in her mind, that he could and would.
"Artemis." Pan said, his eyes suddenly landing on her. The Boy's all glanced at her, most of them looking worried. Artemis held her head high, her face blank.
"Come with me."
Thank you to all my readers! You all are amazing!
Thoughts on Artemis, Peter Pan, Hook? Anyone seeming a little OC? What do you think about Curly?
Anyway, as usual please, review, like, fav, follow ect.
You all rule!
Till next time...